Israel receives first coaches for electric services

ISRAEL Railways (IR) has received the first six of 72 push-pull double-deck coaches currently being built by Bombardier to serve new electrified services which will be introduced on the Tel Aviv - Jerusalem and Acre - Carmiel lines from 2018.

With the introduction of electric traction, train formation will grow to eight cars, which will increase capacity by 37% to 1030 seats. Line speeds will also increase to 160km/h from 140km/ at present.

In addition, IR has activated an option with Bombardier to convert all of its current coaches so they are suitable for electric traction. This project is expected to last for four years.

The new coaches can also operate using diesel locomotives and IR will run both electric and diesel trains in parallel until the completion of its electrification programme in 2020.